Says program organizer Paul McComas, a Milwaukee-born author/filmmaker, “As a teen in the early '80s, I was a huge fan of Richard's brilliant art-punk band the Oil Tasters; during the last years of his life, I was honored to become his friend and collaborator. Now, 18 months after his far-too-early passing, his family members and I have joined forces to honor his memory with a punky multimedia event benefiting WHS that will be as unique as Richard himself.”

A “Requiem …” highlight will be the world premiere of McComas' 48-minute film Time Trek, for which LaValliere composed and performed the original “SoundTrek” music—his final creative work—and in which Richard played “Leader of the Cave People.” The eighth installment in McComas' national- and international-award-winning No-Budget Theatre cult-film series, the “Star Trek” homage/parody began shooting in Milwaukee 37 years ago by 14-year-olds “but couldn't be properly finished,” McComas says, “without RLaV's masterful music and scary/funny onscreen swan song.” Time Trek cast and crew members will be in attendance.

Between the film's three screenings (8:30, 9:30, and 11 pm), LaValliere's 40-year back catalog of recorded music will play (“really LOUD!”), interrupted only by brief tribute speechesanda five-song live performance at 10:30 by Oil Tasters tribute band “the Taste Oilers.”

Says Angela Speed, director of community relations and development at WHS, “We are so grateful to Paul and to Richard’s family. Shelter animals rely on the public’s support, and we imagine Richard would be proud to know his legacy continues to touch the lives of animals.”

Richard's sister, Cindy LaValliere of Wauwatosa, calls the event's WHS tie-in “perfect,” adding: “Someone once asked me if my brother was actually one-third canine. I replied, 'At least one third, if not more.' His human ability to love, to be loved, and to have a huge impact on so many people was surpassed only by his love for dogs and his astonishing, inborn talent for calming the wildest of beasts. Richard never met a stray for whom he couldn't provide shelter, health care, and food—even when his own refrigerator was empty.”

Admission to this 21-and-over show is $10, with all proceeds going to the WHS. In addition, copies of the limited-edition (250 numbered copies) Time Trek two-disc (DVD/CD) set will be available for purchase at $15 each, with all profits going to the WHS.